Strike called by separatists disrupts life in Kashmir
Srinagar, Apr 11: Life in Kashmir was disrupted Thursday due to a strike called by separatists to protest against polling for first phase of Lok Sabha elections in the Valley and NIA action against Hurriyat Conference leaders and their kin.
Shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed due to the strike while attendance in government and private offices was thin.
Majority public transport remained off the roads in most parts of the Valley, but some minibuses, cabs and private vehicles could be seen plying the roads in the city.
Roadside vendors also went about their business as usual, particularly in the uptown areas.
Polling was held Thursday for Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency to decide the fate of nine candidates in the fray.
The officials said the situation across the Valley remained peaceful with no untoward incident reported from anywhere.
However, after the conclusion of polling today, a teenaged boy was killed and three others injured in clashes with the government forces in Mandigam village of Langate (Handwara) area of frontier district of Kupwara.
Joint resistance leadership (JRL), an amalgam of separatist conglomerates, has called for a shutdown.
They said the strike is also to protest against the closure of Kashmir's main highway for civilians for two days in a week and alleged attack by police and paramilitary forces on inmates at Central Jail Srinagar.
Appealing people to stay away from Lok Sabha polls, separatists said shutdown will be observed in areas which are going to polls in the Valley in subsequent phases of the elections.
